PURPOSE

The purpose of convening is to improve coordination among organizations working on healthy eating initiatives in health care settings in South Carolina.

 

WHO WE ARE

Members represent different sectors including, state government, nonprofit organizations, higher education, health systems, and health care providers in South Carolina. 

 

INITIAL GOALS

• Provide resources for health care and community partners.

• Create a consistent brand for Food is Medicine South Carolina messaging for all member partners to use.

• Develop and deliver educational information to health care staff and patients.

• Encourage and facilitate the scaling up of food insecurity screenings and referrals statewide, with an emphasis on rural and under-resourced communities.

• Commit to health equity by addressing structural barriers that inhibit healthy food access.

• Develop a sustainability plan for Food is Medicine South Carolina.

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2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Established and signed a committee charter to address committee and subcommittee structure as well as to define the roles and responsibilities of members, leadership, and the steering committee.

• Spearheaded by the University of South Carolina SNAP-Ed team, developed the second edition of the Nutrition Supports for Health Clinics toolkit.

• Convened and fine-tuned the subcommittee and community of practice structure based on substantive topic areas that will help fulfill the purpose of Food is Medicine SC.

• Received project funding from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation to support the goals of Diabetes Free SC. The project aims to identify actionable policy and systems changes to advance, strengthen, and scale up food is medicine interventions statewide by conducting a landscape assessment and evaluation of produce prescription programs.

 

 OUR GOALS FOR 2023

• Hear from medical providers and community-based organizations about their experiences implementing screenings and referrals for food is medicine and food insecurity.

• Create an infographic and perspective sharing guide around screening and referrals.

• Deepen collaboration with multiple organizations, secure blended funding for the map project, and start mapping.

• Develop a tool to promote the general nutrition CMEs we decide upon by the middle of the year and develop a SC specific nutrition CME presentation.

• Regularly convene the Produce Prescription Community of Practice and bring together new members (through GusNIP & other funding streams).

• Form a Medically Tailored Meals subcommittee.

• Review project findings from the landscape assessment and produce prescription evaluation to inform the work of the Committee.

• Connect and with other committees of South Carolina Food Policy Council to ensure coordination of efforts.

• Help inform a robust food equity policy platform for the South Carolina Food Policy Council.

 

Interested in joining a Food is Medicine South Carolina meeting?

The full Committee meets quarterly at 1:00 pm on the dates below. 

(Click on each link to register for the quarterly meetings)